Assault and Battery Attorney in Columbia, South Carolina

If you are charged with assault and battery, you should understand how serious the consequences can be. A conviction for assault and battery in South Carolina could mean that you must spend several months or years in jail, depending on the nature of your crime. Even if you are innocent, you'll need an experienced assault and battery defense attorney in South Carolina looking out for your interests and protecting your freedom.

Columbia violent crimes attorney Matt Bodman, P.A., provides aggressive criminal defense to clients who are confronting serious charges. As an experienced violent crimes lawyer, he will investigate your case, explain the legal options available to you and ensure that your rights are protected. That's why so many people have hired him to serve as their lawyer in various state criminal defense cases.

A former Richland County assistant solicitor, attorney Bodman had years of experience prosecuting people charged with violent crimes before going into private practice. He knows how to counteract tactics used against you by the prosecution in assault and battery cases. Matt Bodman handles cases involving assault and battery charges against students in the Columbia area as well as charges involving long-term residents.

What is the difference between assault and battery?

Assault used to refer to threatening to hurt someone. In contrast, battery referred to actually physically hurting someone. But in South Carolina and many other states, assault and battery have been combined into one charge. As a result, threatening to hurt someone and actually hurting them are both covered by assault and battery charges in South Carolina.

What are assault and battery charges?

The following is a breakdown of assault and battery charges:

Simple Assault and Battery - Often involves minor injuries and limited amount of violence, or merely the threat of violence in some instances.

Aggravated Assault and Battery - More serious form of assault. Often involves more violence than simple assault, including shooting a person or threatening to kill someone while holding a weapon.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon - A deadly weapon can be anything from a gun, knife or baseball bat to a golf club or even a car.

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon - A more serious crime that often involves more violence with a deadly weapon as described above.

What's the penalty for an assault and battery conviction?

The penalties vary widely depending on the severity of the crime and the intention of the person charged. If someone threatens to physically hurt another person but does not actually hurt that individual, the penalty can be up a $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail for third-degree assault and battery. More serious charges and penalties include:

Second-degree assault and battery - Up to $2,500 fine, up to 3 years in prison

First-degree assault and battery - Up to 10 years in prison

Assault and battery with a deadly weapon - Up to $200 fine, 3 to 12 months in prison

Aggravated assault and battery - Up to 20 years in prison

Why should I hire attorney Bodman if I'm charged with assault and battery?

Having an experienced, knowledgeable attorney on your side can often make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case. That's because a lawyer who is intricately familiar with South Carolina's assault and battery laws will know how to develop a compelling legal strategy designed to succeed.

Attorney Bodman has spent his career fighting for the rights of people charged with crimes like assault and battery. He knows what questions to ask, what evidence to look for and how to transform that information into a persuasive case.

Even if you believe you have no legal options - if you are worried you will be found guilty of a serious crime - don't simply assume there's nothing attorney Bodman can do for you. You always have options. Put his knowledge and experience to work for you. Contact us today. Call (866) 806-8608.